return pump

[reefraj]

What is a good submersible return pump

[Henry Bowman]

Eheim

[crumbletop]

Ocean Runner and eheim. I use both and am quite happy with either. Both are quiet. I'm especially impressed by the low watts of the OR pumps.

[I am a giraffe]

I've had good experiences with Mag pumps. Pretty reliable in my opinion.

[clevername]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9447338#post9447338 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by I am a giraffe
I've had good experiences with Mag pumps. Pretty reliable in my opinion.

had my mag for over 3 years running in salt. Had it preiously 3 years in fresh.....

6 years strong. Mag7

[crumbletop]

Mags are loud, don't put out much flow compared to rated under head, and put out much more heat than the eheims or ORs. That said, they are reliable and many people use them.

[hmello@bermexin]

Rio Hyper Flow

[jdm01]

I use a mag9.5 and it is very quiet. It has been reliable. I cannot answer the watts/heat issue as Mag drive is all I have ever used.

[crumbletop]

compared to the eheim and the OR, the mags are not quiet. Here are some flow results another member got using 3/4" return tubing for the mag9.5 and the Eheim 1262 (rated flow / actual flow under head):

Pump: Rated/4' flow
Eheim1262: 900/730
Mag9.5: 950/496

[scottwhitson]

I agree with crumbletop mag pumps are very loud compared to an eheim. I swapped my mag 7 out for an eheim and will never buy another mag.

[kromar]

I just set up a 20 gal sump/fuge on my 90 gal. I'm using a Quiet One pump, model 2200 [570 gph] and is working great. It's very quiet.

[jim48]

Rio. Mag was too noisy for me! Rio is very quiet.

[scootermo]

Is a shut-off ball valve necessary in the return line from a sump?

[Frick-n-Frags]

not necessary, but for me, I would always have them.

My deal is that I run multiple tanks, and having a valve on each return line lets me cut a tank, or section of plumbing off the system to do whatever, maintenance or even a tank replacement.

If you only have one line, and you want your pump going at full strength, then I don't see any advantage to it. those are not for anti-drainback siphon problems either so I can't really think of any good reason to have one.


Now, back on topic :D. I took my old reliable RIO2600 off of return pump duty, just because, heh, and put it on skimmer duty.

I decided to go with a hot noisy, but super track record, pump, so I got one of those mag9's to replace the rio at return pump duty.

However, at some point here, I have a Gen-x for when I set up a hard sump. The problem is, I love just being able to take a $5 storage tub full of yuck down to the curb once every year or two and just throw a new one in place. I only have to cut a notch or make a hole for the skimmer drain hose and I'm back in business. All my plumbing is entirely flexible and man am I spoiled.




ps, welcome aboard :)

[Blackacid]

I have a Mag12 and an Ocean Runner 3500. The OR is WAY quiet in comparison to the Mag12. The water agitation on my tank is louder than the pump.

[iggyman1971]

Quiet One pumps are fairly quiet, but the impellars have a tendancy to calcify quickly and lock-up

[smcdonn]

The mags do use a little more electricity for the rated flow compared to the more expensive pumps, but for the price, they are extremely reliable pumps.